Regarding The Accusation Of The Police Disguising Themselves As Students In Jambi, The Police: Netizens Create Various Kinds Of Narratives

Aro Penmas, National Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Awi Setiyono (Photo: Police Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The National Police has denied allegations that Brimob members disguised themselves as students when securing a demonstration against the Omnibus Law in Jambi.

The allegations came after a video showing a fight between plainclothes police and Sabhara members went viral on social media.

"Regarding the viral video on social media which says that Brimob disguised as a student and was arrested by the police and then hit by Sabhara personnel is not true," said Karo Penmas, Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Awi Setiyono to VOI, Wednesday, October 21.

Said Awi, the man wearing the green jacket is a student from Batanghari University (Unbari). He was arrested for being anarchist during a demonstration and against security forces.

"Those who were arrested wearing green alma mater clothes at the time of the incident were really students," said Awi.

He explained that the real incident was when the police officers dressed freely were beaten by Sabhara members who tried to hit the student. Thus, igniting the emotions of members dressed freely and lead to fighting.

"The members (free clothes) who secure the students prevent the Sabhara members from hitting the students, that's why there was a little misunderstanding in the field, but it was clear after knowing that it was the Mobile Brigade Intelligence," said Awi.

Awi emphasized that the video was intentionally added with a certain narrative by an irresponsible party. Thus, it gives the impression that there are police officers disguising themselves as students.

"The same as nitizens, they made various narratives," he said.

Previously, videos circulating on social media showed clashes between members of the National Police when they were guarding a demonstration against the Omnibus Law on Cipta Kerja Law in Jambi.

The video uploaded by the @Lini_ZQ account initially featured several plainclothes police arresting a man wearing a green jacket.

Shortly thereafter, a policeman, in uniform and bat, came and beat him. The blow angered the plainclothes policeman.

Footage must be watched! An officer disguised as a mass action wearing an almet, considered provocative by the uniformed police Arrested & impaled. A fellow non-uniformed friend who was in uniform and shouted 'that's my officer woy' What can we conclude from this video? pic.twitter.com/KsJGQjlk3N

- Cancel the Omnibus Law! (@Lini_ZQ) October 20, 2020